A Barney Gumnut Christmas (Barney Gumnut, #2)

By Tamsin Ainslie

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Here is a beautiful Christmas book that shows the true Christmas spirit of giving, sharing, and celebrating our blessings. Tamsin Ainslie has illustrated for ABC Books, Scholastic and UQP. Her books include In My Garden and Collecting Sunshine. This is the second in the Barney Gumnut series and again features all Barney’s friends. As the authorstrator, Tamsin shows she can write a carefully structured text, using simple but effective language and illustrate in her usual relaxed, colourful style. Her eye for detail guarantees that young readers will enjoy exploring each carefully designed page.

Barney Gumnut the koala lives in Scribbly Gum Forest with his friends Wilfred the budgie, Hoppity the kangaroo, Edith the echidna, Charles the cockatoo and Robert the wombat. The six friends get together to prepare for an  Australian Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve and there is a big discussion about what Christmas actually means.

Does it mean decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping presents, giving presents, celebrating with friends, eating pavlova,  playing games, wearing paper hats? Of course we all know that Christmas means all of these things and but there is so much more. The illustrations are delightful, soft, colourful, with lots of space on each page. Tamsin illustrates each idea, gently taking us through the very many different ways of celebrating Christmas, with an emphasis on sharing and enjoying the company of friends. .

This charming book with its understated messages and gorgeous illustrations will provide much enjoyment to young readers and is a keeper for your collection.

HarperCollinsAU 2025

Tamsin Ainslie

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